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The Feasibility of Self-Reliancism As a Foundation for Democracy

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The Feasibility of Self-Reliancism As a Foundation for Democracy Vol.6(2), pp. 24-31, December 2018 DOI: 10.5897/JPC2018.0017 Article Number: 5160E3F59534 ISSN: 0855-6660 Copyright ©JPC 2018 Journal of Philosophy and Culture http://www.academicjournals.org/JPC A Journal of the Department of Classics and Philosophy, University of Cape Coast Full Length Research Paper The feasibility of self-reliancism as a foundation for democracy Usifoh Eric Eromosele Department of Classics and Philosophy, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. Received 28 June, 2018; Accepted 29 October, 2018 In popular discourse, democracy often centres on concepts such as liberty, equality, consent, choice, rule of law, participation, accountability, transparency, etc. This popular rendition, more often than not, excludes the notion of self-reliancism. This study argues that the exclusion of this notion weakens the etymological foundation of democracy as government by the people and undermines the development of an authentic and sustainable democratic culture. Indeed, self-reliancism surmises the reality of the human condition and is fundamental since it complements the meaning of democracy in the discourse of governance. This study is based on the theoretical foundation of personalism, which affirms the unique dignity and interrelationality of the human person. The methodology adopted is dialectical realism, which proposes the need for societies to explore their historical and cultural experiences as the bases for a self-reliancist orientation in comprehending reality. The study seeks to establish the feasibility of self-reliancism as a foundation for democracy. Key words: Self-reliancism, self-reliance, democracy, dilectical realism, personalism. INTRODUCTION Democratic experiments in many societies, especially in (Ireoegbu, 2010: 47-48). Africa, have arguably been unsuccessful because many It is therefore not surprising that many African states embrace democratic governance without an efficient are still grappling with basic developmental issues as culture and structure to sustain the practice of democracy. reflected in their deplorable socioeconomic conditions, Some of these societies maintain authoritarian political with the majority of their populations surviving on less structures bequeathed by the „colonial masters‟, thereby than one dollar a day. Many societies have surrendered excluding the people from participating in governance. the valuable opportunity of independently charting a path The political elites adopt the colonial legacy of towards purposeful democratic value, having failed to authoritarian and vertical articulation of power projection take the self-reliancist democratic path. This path is, of and socio-political practice, yet they claim democracy is course, not an atavistic nationalism of isolation, or on course. In addition, they persistently engage in viewing things from the highly subjective perspective of “foraging” the economic resources of society, thereby an individualistic vision of reality. To be sure, such fostering a “culture of poverty” among the people atavism is unrealistic in a globalising world, especially in E-mail: [email protected]. Author(s) agree that this article remain permanently open access under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 International License Usifoh 25 view of the increasing levels of interdependence among understandings, as a positive response to the challenge states. Indeed, contemporary international relations and of governance and development confronting societies. In politics make it clear that no nation can successfully this thread are political philosophers and theorists such adopt the insular Robinson Crusoe solipsist type of as Nyerere (1968), Ogundowole (1988), Momoh (1991), existence. Thus, states and organisations are now finding Fotopoulos (1997), Ake (2000), Okeregbe (2016) and it increasingly necessary to form larger blocks and Etieyibo (2012). conglomerates. Self-reliancism, therefore, projects the need for relationships on equal bases and mutual need, as distinct from the current lopsided global TOWARDS A THEORY OF DEMOCRACY socioeconomic inter-state relations. This is manifest in the June 23rd Brexit referendum in Humans desire to be free and their freedom in the which Britain opted out of what some consider as political arena reflects in their ability to participate in a unfavourable union rather than remain as a disgruntled political process by the choice that they make concerning member. With a narrow victory of 51.9 to 48.1% margin, their representatives. He thereby consents to the manner the twenty-eight member European witnessed a shake- in which he is ruled. In this way, man willingly accepts up that resulted from the will of the people to that a people should undertake certain actions on his independently chart a path towards societal development. behalf, irrespective of how well they do it, though doing it Considering the likely socio-economic and political well is very important. In this process, the idea of implications of the British departure, however, many imposition is minimal and this enhances consent. commentators on international politics and diplomacy Moreover, democracy allows for the institutional checks have expressed doubts about the wisdom of the British that result from the historical experience of a people on action (Friedman, 2016; Jason, 2016; Klaas and Dirsus, how to manage their affairs. It does not mean that 2016). governmental policy in a democracy may not be faulty, This paper, through a conceptual analysis of the since it is a learning process, like life itself. To be sure, democratic theory, proposes and justifies the feasibility of errors may occur and indeed do occur, but the people self-reliancism as a foundation for democracy. The can amend them through peaceful means or processes. concept of self-reliancism is a development of the notion There is also the choice of deciding as different situations of self-reliance by E. K. Ogundowole, in his Magnus imply divergent problems. Constant attempts at problem- Opus titled, Self-reliancism: Philosophy of a New Order. solving result in improvement of the political system and Ogundowole presents self-reliancism as an attempt limits the dangers of leaving governmental reins in the towards the realization of the principle of self-reliance. It hands of a tyrant: is an ideology or orientation based on the principle of What may be said, however, to be implied in the self-reliance. Self-reliancism is a principle for adoption of the democratic principle is the conviction that development which seeks “a completely co-operative the acceptance of even a bad policy in a democracy (as society” as the “next stage of human development” long as we can work for a change) is preferable to the (1998: 243). On his part, Aristotle (1962) proposes that submission to a tyranny, however, wise or benevolent. “the final cause and end of a thing is the best, and to be Seen in this light, the theory of democracy is not based self-sufficing is the end and the best” (Bk. 1, Chap. 2). upon the principle that the majority should rule; rather, However, the political order which Aristotle set out to the various equalitarian methods of democratic control, establish endorses a hierarchical societal structure which such as general elections and representative considers a slave as another property and tool (Bk. 1, government, are to be considered as no more than well- Chap. 3), a non-permissible and ethically repugnant view tried and, in the presence of a widespread traditional in today‟s world. The idea of self-reliance reflects in distrust for tyranny, reasonably effective institutional Machiavelli‟s interest in how a prince can maintain his safeguard against tyranny, always open to improvement, princedom in his opinion that the prince be allowed to and even providing methods for their own improvement apply any means, relying on the self, to get desired (Popper, 1963: 125). results in his quest to maintain power; “the only sound, The prospects of the democratic transition process, sure and enduring methods of defence are those based which affords citizens the regular and constitutional on your own actions and prowess” (Machiavelli 1999: 79). possibility of replacing the government through a However, Machiavelli‟s The Prince is flawed for its limited peaceful means, reduce the tensions and desire to or pessimistic conception of human nature. The principle forcefully overthrow a regime. Democracy avails a society of self-reliance places value on the human person, views of a non-violent process of transition, with free human from a positive dimension and proposes a society associations whose existence is guaranteed by law. that promotes mutual respect among individuals and in Democracy thus requires a vibrant political society or inter-state relations. public sphere for it to flourish (Kukah, 1999: 43). A vibrant Furthermore, the concept of self-reliance and self- civil society, in turn, is a function of a self-reliant reliancism has been postulated, to varying degrees and community for there can be no adequate participation in 26 J. Philos. Cult. the political process, without a consciousness of the self- Nevertheless, the primacy remains. The fact that one is worth and belief that the individual is capable of taking not constantly preoccupied with, and motivated by, charge of his own affairs when necessary. The basic economic needs, shows that the needs are being met; it needs of existence lie at the very heart of any democratic does not show that they are
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